MSC International Business with Applied Business Skills

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

University of Hertfordshire

Program Overview

The MSc International Business with Extended Professional Practice at the University of Hertfordshire is a two-year programme that blends academic learning with hands-on professional experience. It’s perfect for ambitious students who want to understand how global businesses operate while also gaining a real-world placement that makes them career-ready from day one.

Curriculum structure

Year 1
In your first year, you’ll get to grips with the essentials of international business. Modules like Principles of International Business help you understand how global trade, finance, and cultural contexts shape business decisions. Financial Management for International Business teaches you how to manage budgets, investments, and risks, while Digital Marketing and Consumer Insights shows you how to use data to connect with customers worldwide. You’ll also explore International Enterprises and Human Resource Management, learning how HR strategies work across cultures. Optional modules such as Supply Chain and Negotiation Analysis, Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation, or Leading Innovation and Change let you tailor your studies to your own interests and career goals.

Year 2
The second year is where you bring what you’ve learned into the real world. You’ll spend over 30 weeks on a Professional Work Placement, gaining hands-on experience in a real business setting. Alongside this, the Industry Research Project lets you tackle real-world challenges, while the Work Placement Portfolio helps you reflect on what you’ve learned and showcase your skills to future employers.

Focus areas:
International business strategy, global finance, digital marketing, international HRM, supply chain and negotiation, entrepreneurship, innovation and change management, AI in business, professional work placement and research.

Learning outcomes:
Understand and analyse global business environments, make informed financial decisions, create digital marketing strategies, manage cross-cultural teams, plan and negotiate supply chains, develop entrepreneurial ventures, lead innovation and change, apply emerging technologies like AI, gain professional experience, and conduct research grounded in real-world business.

Professional alignment (accreditation):
The programme is designed in collaboration with industry leaders to equip you with skills employers actively seek. The extended placement gives you an edge, connecting your studies to real business challenges.

Reputation (employability rankings):
The University of Hertfordshire is ranked 5th in the UK for Postgraduate Taught Experience (PTES 2024), with high scores in student support and skill development. It also holds a QS Stars 5‑Star Excellent rating (2025) and ranks among the top 50 UK universities in the Guardian University Guide (2026).

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

This MSc is designed to go beyond the classroom and give you real-world business experience from day one. You’ll develop practical skills, learn to tackle real challenges, and gain professional confidence — all while having access to modern facilities and support tailored for international business students. By your second year, you’ll spend over 30 weeks in a full-time placement, applying everything you’ve learned, building networks, and truly understanding how global businesses operate. On campus, you can make the most of computer labs, group study spaces, the postgraduate centre, and the Learning Resources Centre — all set up to help you collaborate, research, and experiment with new ideas.

Here’s how experiential learning comes to life in this programme:

  • Professional Work Placement (30+ weeks): Get hands-on experience in a real company, handling tasks and responsibilities that let you apply classroom knowledge directly in the business world.

  • Work Placement Portfolio & Industry Research Project: Reflect on your placement, document your achievements, and complete a research project based on real-world business challenges.

  • Placement Support: The Careers and Employment team helps you identify and secure placement opportunities, while also supporting self-arranged placements approved by the university.

  • Campus Facilities: Study at the Business School’s de Havilland campus with access to lecture theatres, seminar rooms, computer labs, the postgraduate centre, and the Learning Resources Centre with digital tools for research and group work.

  • Enterprise & Innovation Hub: Explore entrepreneurship and collaborative projects in the university’s dedicated Enterprise Hub, where you can test ideas, receive mentoring, and engage with student-led ventures.

  • Industry Connections & Real-World Exposure: Benefit from guest lectures, live projects, networking events, and opportunities to work on practical problems with real businesses.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from this MSc are well-equipped to step straight into exciting international business roles. Many go on to positions such as International Business Development Manager, Global Strategy Consultant, International Marketing Manager, or Global Supply Chain Manager. With the combination of academic knowledge and a 30+ week professional placement, you’ll not only understand global business but also have the practical experience that employers really value. Some students even convert their placement into a graduate job or gain support for international work visas, giving you a head start in your career:

  • Dedicated Career Support: The University’s Careers and Employment team helps you secure your placement, build your CV, prepare for interviews, and develop professional networks.

  • Strong Employment Outcomes: Thanks to your placement experience and practical skillset, most graduates move quickly into employment or further study in global business roles.

  • University–Industry Connections: Through guest lectures, live projects, networking events, and competitions, you’ll meet potential employers and gain exposure to real business challenges.

  • Long-Term Value: The MSc is designed in partnership with employers, so your degree is globally relevant and highly regarded in multinational firms, consultancies, and other sectors.

  • Graduation Outcomes: Alumni often secure roles in international business, marketing, supply chain, HR, or consultancy — providing a solid platform for long-term career growth.

Further Academic Progression:
If you want to continue your studies, this MSc provides a strong foundation for PhD research in international business, global strategy, sustainability, or related fields. You could also pursue specialised postgraduate certificates or executive education in areas like global supply-chain management, international marketing, or ESG — all building on the knowledge and skills gained during your MSc.

Program Key Stats

£20,950
£16,505


73 %

Eligibility Criteria

2.5

NA
NA
NA
6.5
79
2:2
NA

Additional Information & Requirements

Career Options

  • International business development manager
  • global strategy consultant
  • international marketing manager
  • global supply chain manager
  • sustainability & ESG consultant
  • international HR manager
  • export sales executive
  • global supply chain analyst
  • HR business partner
  • financial planning associate
  • international business consultant
  • operations analyst
  • digital marketing executive
  • supply chain coordinator
  • international project officer
  • business development manager

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